Asset lifecycle information management

Lifecycle information is an important part of structural digital twins: digital replicas that provide detailed insights into performance and processes through simulation. This information can be combined and reused relatively easily if it is specified, designed, realised, managed, maintained and dismantled according to open standards.

Builders and developers don't speak 'the same language'

Not all of the necessary information is currently available, at least not in a usable form. Builders and developers define and structure object data in different ways at various points in the chain and therefore do not speak ‘the same language’. They often use information standards within their domain, but this is not enough for integration across domain boundaries. Furthermore, they often use different computer systems that are not sufficiently capable of working together.

It is possible to liberate data from the data silos of applications and companies. To this end, TNO is developing guidelines for road authorities, for example. In doing so, we make data retrievable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. This contributes to the realisation of smarter, more efficient systems for the management and maintenance of structures for both national and international customers – an important basis for the deployment of artificial intelligence and digital twins.

Knowledge of standards is essential

Linked data is an innovative concept for connecting data with different information structures. Because ALIM requires the bringing together of diverse sources from different domains with their own standards, knowledge of various standards is essential. We therefore have extensive expertise on both data integration and data modelling based on linked data and (inter)national open standards.

To promote chain integration and the further implementation of digitisation, TNO is developing guidelines, implementation guides and data structures in semantic environments. These are incorporated into standardisation at a national, a European and a global level – NEN, CEN, ISO. On this basis, we advise the information experts of asset owners and managers on the integration of linked data principles in their information management systems. We also develop object type libraries to record data on the lifecycle of assets.

Agreements with road authorities in the pipeline

TNO applies three principles for the further development and application of linked data: the use of open standards for both the technology and the data structures, the application of the Semantic Modelling and Linking Standard for working with networks of Object Type Libraries and the use of a widely and internationally accepted standard as a framework for the modelling of physical networks. TNO has proposed agreements on this with six European road authorities, including Rijkswaterstaat.